Preventing Binge Drinking in Job Corps A Growing Problem April 5, 2012

Objectives Identify binge drinking Identify why teens binge drink Recognize the dangers and risks of binge drinking Describe the importance of getting assistance with binge drinking Discuss methods to prevent binge drinking

How Do We Define Binge Drinking? Excessive consumption of alcohol over a short period of time. Rule of thumb: Females: 4 or more drinks Males: 5 or more drinks

A drink means… 12 oz bottle of beer 1.5 oz shot of 80 proof liquor 5 oz glass of wine

Blood Alcohol Level and Impairment 0.02-0.03 No loss of coordination, slight euphoria and loss of shyness. Depressant effects are not apparent. Mildly relaxed and maybe a little lightheaded. 0.04-0.06 Feeling of well-being, relaxation, lower inhibitions, sensation of warmth. Euphoria. Some minor impairment of reasoning and memory, lowering of caution. Your behavior may become exaggerated and emotions intensified 0.07- 0.09 Slight impairment of balance, speech, vision, reaction time, and hearing. Euphoria. Judgment and self-control are reduced, and caution, reason and memory are impaired, .08 is legally impaired and it is illegal to drive at this level. You will probably believe that you are functioning better than you really are. 0.10- 0.125 Significant impairment of motor coordination and loss of good judgment. Speech may be slurred; balance, vision, reaction time and hearing will be impaired. Euphoria. 0.13 -0.15 Gross motor impairment and lack of physical control. Blurred vision and major loss of balance. Euphoria is reduced and dysphoria (anxiety, restlessness) is beginning to appear. Judgment and perception are severely impaired. Source: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Blood Alcohol Level and Impairment 0.16- 0.19 Dysphoria predominates, nausea may appear. The drinker has the appearance of a "sloppy drunk." 0.20 Felling dazed, confused or otherwise disoriented. May need help to stand or walk. If you injure yourself you may not feel the pain. Some people experience nausea and vomiting at this level. The gag reflex is impaired and you can choke if you do vomit. Blackouts are likely at this level so you may not remember what has happened. 0.25 All mental, physical and sensory functions are severely impaired. Increased risk of asphyxiation from choking on vomit and of seriously injuring yourself by falls or other accidents. 0.30 STUPOR. You have little comprehension of where you are. You may pass out suddenly and be difficult to awaken. 0.35 Coma is possible. This is the level of surgical anesthesia. 0.40 Onset of coma, and possible death due to respiratory arrest.

What Do We Know About Binge Drinking? Two in three underage students report drinking within the past thirty days. Most underage binge drinkers began to drink at an early age. 25% of all high school-aged students binge drinkers began drinking in middle school.

More Facts Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports about 90% of the alcohol consumed by youth under the age of 21 in the US, is in the form of binge drinking. According to the US DHHS, studies show more than 35% of adults with an alcohol problem developed symptoms such as binge drinking by age 19. Heavy binge drinking is 3 or more episodes within two weeks.

More Facts Underage drinking is especially dangerous because it is both illegal and often involves consumption in quantities and settings which lead to serious immediate and long-term consequences.

Common Myths Have you heard this one? I can still be in control if I drink Drinking isn’t all that dangerous I can sober up quickly if I have to It is okay for me to drink to keep up with my boyfriend I drive well enough after a few drinks Beer doesn’t affect me as much as hard liquor I drive better drunk **Makes sense given developmental stage

Why Do Teens Binge Drink? Peer Pressure Curiosity Escape their present life and stress Thinks it feels good Feel older Boredom

Risks Associated Poor grades - many more times likely to miss class/poor sleep patterns Drunk driving Unsafe sex/STDs Death Unintentional/intentional injury It is estimated at least half of all violent crimes involve alcohol consumption.  The numbers may even be greater for sexual assaults. Abbey, A., Tazacki,T., Buck, M.A. (2001). Alcohol and Sexual Assault. Alcohol Health and Research World. 25(1). The National Center for Victims of Crime. Gangs in America. Retrieved from: http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbName=DocumentViewer&DocumentID=32352

Risks Associated Dependence FASD Unintended pregnancy Liver disease Neurological problems Heart disease, HBP, Type-2 diabetes, and Stroke Attention/memory problems Brain issues (thinning of the pre-frontal cortex) controls, brain development, processing emotions, impulse control, and irrational behavior

But What is Gravest Risk? Alcohol Poisoning Most life threatening consequence It affects involuntary reflexes (breathing and the gag reflex) Important because… If the gag reflex is not working means can choke on their own vomit and die

Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning Vomiting Semi/Unconsciousness Cold, clammy pale, or bluish skin Slow or irregular breathing Vomiting white sleeping or while unconscious Extreme confusion Seizures Inability to be awakened

Alcopops? A term coined by the media to describe bottled alcoholic malt beverages resembling sweet drinks such as soda and lemonade. A contributing factor in underage binge drinking.

Utilize TEAP Services Motivational Interviewing as one strategy as a vehicle to discuss Keep issue salient – incorporate into CPP as well as initial assessment Have handouts – brightly colored posters Collaborate with other departments such as Recreational and Res Life

What to Train: Possible Topics

Educate about the Influence of Alcohol Alcohol impairs self-control and impulse control (meaning it makes it harder for people to stop themselves once they start a behavior) It worsens communication misinterpretations (Just a few drinks is enough to produce reductions in our thinking abilities) It disrupts decision-making abilities (alcohol reduces our ability to make complex decisions which produces a focus on short-term rewards and a failure to consider the long-term negative impacts of behavior)

Impact of Triggers Being at a party Curiosity at what it feels like to drink a lot quickly A belief ‘it'll feel good’ Drinking games or "shots" which go on over many hours Activities where drinking is the focus Unassertive–can’t say No Wanting to "drown" negative emotions Wanting to look cool Inactivity and boredom as trigger

Natural Supports Use a friend to remind each other of limit Take breaks together and drink a non-alcoholic beverage instead Having at least two people willing to say no to drinking more makes it easier for people to resist social pressure Train about not leaving a friend at a party (mention increased risk of sexual assault)

Amount Consumed Know amount of standard drink (12 oz bottle of beer; 1.5 oz shot of 80 proof liquor or 5 oz glass of wine) Don’t consume more than: Females—4 or more standard drinks Males—5 or more standard drinks Drink Slowly

Eating and Drinking Without food = alcohol more rapidly absorbed Salty snacks increase thirst Drink water Caffeine masks alcohol’s effects so discourage mixing

Educate about AlcoPops Contain lots of sugar, so taste and drink like sodas Drink too much in a short time

Teach Peer Resistance Develop modules with role playing and other experiential activities to encourage students to develop ways/tactics to resist pressures

What is the Peer Culture on Center?

Comment, Questions or Concerns?

Resources Http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/ http://www.kidshealth.org http://alcoholism.aboout.com/cs/teens/a/blhbns040516.htm http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/quickstarts/bingedrinking.htm www.niaaa.nih.gov